Interview 29: "Consistency, Mindset and Patience will get you everywhere!"

Debi is not only a tall blond stunner, but she is also truly a beautiful soul!  She is a mom to a daughter who is 10, and 2 step sons who are 11 and 12.  BUSY!!  She is a Pilates and Cycle instructor, she works with people on their nutrition and most importantly spends a lot of time with her family.  She loves the time she gets to be with her kids, taking them on adventures and being involved in their lives and learning.  She is a community leader and makes sure she’s helping kids however she can!  She is living her dream life with the people she loves. It’s a dream come true for Debi!

But I think what I love the most about Debi is that she created this dream life.  It wasn’t handed to her.  She mastered her mindset and took action on a regular basis to create the life she lives today.   

When Debi was young both of her parents were overweight.  Her mom was really overweight and it effected her life.  Debi watched her struggle with knee problems and she saw the pain her mom experienced wth not being able to do much due to her weight.  She read a statistic in high school that said “If your parents are overweight there is a 90% chance you are going to be overweight.” This was a wake up call for Debi. She loved her parents so much, but she didn’t want to live like that.  “I wanted to be smart about it but I didn’t know much about it in high school so I started reading.”  THIS is what I love about Debi.  There wasn’t an attitude of “well I guess this is my fate” or “I don’t know anything about this so I’m screwed.”  NO!  She took action and educated herself so she could make the right decisions for HER body.  First huge lesson I took away from Debi.  

She went on to college and majored in Nutritional Science and she started taking fitness classes.  However life happened and as many of us did leaving school we got the job we were “supposed” to get.  Debi started working in marketing and after several years in that job she got laid off.  She sat down with her husband and as they were trying to figure out what to do next the idea of following her passion came up!  “I had never thought about that” she shared.  I related to this SO much. I followed the right course in school: I got a business degree, got a job as an executive assistant to learn the ropes and climb the corporate ladder.  All the while I hated my jobs and felt completely unfulfilled.  It wasn’t until my “dream job” (funny to say that now) went away that I realized I needed to follow my heart into fitness...my true "dream job!"

So Debi started pursuing her fitness passion and dove into Pilates. Now this is a huge step!  To go from the corporate life of Marketing to spandex and reformers is a big change.  I asked Debi if she struggled as she began her new career.  “When I first started getting into fitness I kept thinking ‘I don't’ have the perfect body should I even be teaching.’ I want to inspire people but I struggle” she shared.  Her confidence wained and she was always so nervous before teaching class. It didn’t matter if it was one client or 30, the nerves were there.  “I had to fake that confidence until I got it” she shared. 

I loved hearing this!  Debi took a risk on going against the “norm” to follow her passion.  And even though she loved it, her confidence was lacking and the nerves were there.  BUT she allowed herself the space and grace to LEARN that confidence.  She didn’t quit after the first class.  She kept at it and worked that confidence muscle until it was strong and capable! 

As she started her Pilates career she noticed all the other instructors were so much shorter.  She is 5’9” tall and a lot of leg!  So she struggled with some of the moves.  Especially the ones where you had to lift your legs in the air.  It was hard!  But she did give up and she learned that she just had to work a little harder than the other girls.  Through this process “I’ve learned to embrace it and know that every body is different.  I’m not perfect, no BODY is.”   Wow, can you imagine if we all gave ourselves this much grace?  Can you imagine how much happier and kinder we’d be as a society if we just embraced our bodies and knew that perfection doesn’t actually exist!

Debi gave some advice on how to overcome the challenges we face every day as we’re tying to live healthier lives. 

CONSISTENCY: One thing that’s really helped is the consistency that I have now.  That has been a huge!  Even when I’m tired or sore I have to show up for the class. That has been really helpful.

MINDSET: Really stepping out side your comfort zone, whether you’re in pilates or a cycle class. Challenge yourself, push yourself a little more each time.  People think when you have maxed out you “failed.”  No you didn't!  You pushed to your limits! 

PATIENCE: It just takes time. There is no overnight magic pill for fitness. Enjoy the journey. 

Debi is an amazing example of taking the first and hardest step.  She didn’t know what was on the other side of that fear but she took the step to make it happen.  There will always be bumps in the road and we’ll trip and fall.  But if you can learn from Debi, I would ask that you hear to never beat yourself up over these road bumps.  That you have the ability to create what you want by consistently learning and growing into the person you want to be.  These three things will serve you in all areas of your life not just in your health: Be consistent in your actions, have the mindset of growth and be patient with yourself!

Thank you Debi for sharing all of your amazing wisdom and experience!  We are better for hearing it!

xo
Becky

Thank you for taking the time to engage in my 29th interview of inspiring women.  Please feel free to share your comments, feelings and send this to a friend you think would benefit from reading this!  If you want me to interview someone you find incredibly inspiring, I would be truly honored to meet them. This is a journey that has no parameters or rules.  Let’s have fun with it and continue to spread the message of empowerment, love and kindness - to ourselves and others!

You can follow Debi on Instagram @TallGirlPilates